This Crochet Sheep Pattern makes a chubby little amigurumi sheep with a fluffy, curly-looking wool body, a soft cream face, floppy ears, short dark legs, and a tiny tail. The fluffy look comes from a simple bobble stitch worked on the body, so you do not need fringe or special yarn. Give it as a gift, set it on a nursery shelf, or make a whole flock in different colors.
Pattern Information
Skill level: Intermediate, with bobble stitches, shaping, embroidery, and sewing.
Terms: US crochet terminology.
Construction: The body is worked in continuous rounds with bobble stitches on alternate rounds. The head, ears, legs, and tail are worked separately and sewn on. The face is embroidered.
Estimated size: About 13 cm (5 in) tall, using DK-weight cotton. Actual dimensions depend on yarn, tension, and stuffing.
Pattern note: This is an original design based on the title concept. Stitch counts have been checked, but the pattern has not been physically crocheted or independently tested. Adjust the shaping and feature placement to suit your yarn.
Materials
- DK-weight cotton yarn in white or cream, approximately 40 g, for the body and tail.
- Cream or light beige yarn, approximately 10 g, for the head and ears.
- Dark brown or charcoal yarn, approximately 6 g, for the legs.
- Pink thread for the cheeks and nose, and black thread for the mouth and optional embroidered eyes.
- A 2.5 mm hook as a starting point (use a hook small enough to keep the fabric dense).
- Two 6 mm black safety eyes, or black thread for embroidered eyes.
- Fiberfill, stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, and removable pins.
Use embroidered eyes if the sheep is for a baby or young child.
Stitches and Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MR | magic ring |
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| inc | 2 sc in one stitch |
| dec | invisible single crochet decrease over the next 2 stitches |
| bobble | 4 dc worked in the same stitch, each left with its last loop on the hook, then yarn over and pull through all 5 loops |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
Work in a spiral without joining or turning unless directed otherwise. Numbers in brackets give the completed stitch count. Repeat parentheses the stated number of times. Move the marker at the start of every round.
Before You Begin
Crochet tightly so the stuffing does not show through the stitches. Stuff firmly but evenly, adding small pieces rather than large clumps. Bobbles pop out toward the right side of your work, so work them with the outside of the piece facing you.
Practice one bobble on a scrap first. Each bobble is a single stitch, so the stitch count stays the same.
Body (white)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30]
Round 6: (4 sc, inc) × 6. [36]
Round 7: (Bobble, sc) × 18. [36]
Round 8: Sc in every stitch. [36]
Round 9: (Sc, bobble) × 18. [36]
Round 10: Sc in every stitch. [36]
Round 11: (Bobble, sc) × 18. [36]
Round 12: Sc in every stitch. [36]
Round 13: (Sc, bobble) × 18. [36]
Round 14: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30]
Round 15: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Stuff firmly now, pushing the filling into the bobbles.
Round 16: (2 sc, dec) × 6. [18]
Round 17: (Sc, dec) × 6. [12]
Round 18: Dec × 6. [6]
Fasten off, thread the tail through the remaining front loops, draw closed, and hide the end. Flatten the bottom slightly so the sheep sits steadily. The closed hole is the bottom.
Note: Round 14 has no bobbles, so the decreases are plain. The body keeps the fluffy look through Round 13.
Head (cream)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Rounds 5–9: Sc in every stitch. [24 per round; 5 rounds]
Insert the safety eyes between Rounds 6 and 7, with about 8 stitches between them. Fit the backs securely.
Round 10: (2 sc, dec) × 6. [18]
Stuff the head firmly.
Round 11: (Sc, dec) × 6. [12]
Round 12: Dec × 6. [6]
Fasten off with a long tail, close the hole, and leave the tail for sewing. Sew the head to the front of the body, between Rounds 8 and 13, with the face tilted slightly upward.
Wool Tuft (white)
Make a small bobble cap for the top of the head: with white, 6 sc in MR. [6] Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12] Round 3: (Sc, bobble) × 6. [12] Sl st and fasten off with a long tail. Sew to the top of the head, between the ears.
Ears (make 2, cream)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: (Sc, inc) × 3. [9]
Rounds 3–4: Sc around. [9 per round; 2 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Do not stuff. Flatten and pinch the base, then sew to the sides of the head at about Rounds 5–6, angled downward so the ears droop.
Legs (make 4, dark brown)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: (Sc, inc) × 3. [9]
Rounds 3–6: Sc around. [9 per round; 4 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff lightly, leaving the top unfilled. Sew to the bottom of the body, front legs close together and back legs toward the rear.
Tail (white)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: (Sc, bobble) × 3. [6]
Sl st and fasten off with a long tail. Stuff with a tiny wisp and sew to the center back near the bottom.
Face and Finishing
- Nose: With pink thread, embroider a small triangle at the center front of the face, on Round 8.
- Mouth: With black thread, embroider a short vertical line below the nose, then two small curves for a smile.
- Cheeks: With pink thread, add a small patch of 2 or 3 horizontal stitches below and outside each eye.
- Shape: Roll the body gently between your palms and fluff the bobbles with your fingers.
- Hide every tail and give each ear, leg, and the tail a gentle tug to check it holds.
Practical Tips and Troubleshooting
The bobbles look flat. Pull the final yarn-over firmly, and work with the right side facing you so they pop outward.
The stitch count is off after a bobble round. A bobble counts as one stitch. Count at the end of every round, and mark the first stitch.
The sheep will not sit up. Flatten the bottom of the body, and sew all four legs on at the same height.
The head flops. Sew it on with extra stitches around the join, and stuff it firmly.
The eyes look uneven. Pin the eyes before inserting them, and check the face from the front and from above before fastening the backs.
FAQ
Can I make it fluffier? Yes. Use a fuzzy yarn, or work bobbles on every round for a very textured look. Check that the stitch count stays at 36.
Can I make it bigger? Yes. Use chunky yarn and a 4 mm hook for a sheep about one and a half times larger.
Can I embroider the eyes? Yes. Make two small black satin-stitch ovals between Rounds 6 and 7, with 8 stitches between them, and add a tiny white highlight stitch.
Can I make a black sheep? Absolutely. Use charcoal for the body and keep the cream face for contrast.
More Free Crochet Patterns
- Free Crochet Monkey Pattern
- Crochet Lion Pattern
- Easy Crochet Elephant Pattern for Your First Plushie
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